Ripple Bay.
The Rocket Team's ship docked here.
Compared to the [Plasma Destroyer] that Natsuhiko had seen, although the Rocket Team's ship was also impressive, it was undoubtedly much smaller in scale.
However, unlike the Plasma Team which had only one [Plasma Destroyer], the Rocket Team had several such ships.
Just looking at this one in front of him, it seemed similar to what Natsuhiko remembers from the time of capturing the Legendary Bird Trio.
Natsuhiko followed Giovanni onto the ship.
It was clear to see that a large number of Rocket Team members in diving suits were constantly diving or surfacing.
Each time they transmitted the collected "Divine Hall of the Sea Floor" data into the computer.
A three-dimensional image gradually appeared on the screen.
"This is the art of the ancients."
Looking at the "Pyramid-shaped" image of the "Divine Hall of the Sea Floor" on the screen, Giovanni admired it with a phrase of praise.
Natsuhiko watched the screen silently, not speaking.
He originally thought that even if the Rocket Team found the "Divine Hall of the Sea Floor," it would take them a few years at least to thoroughly understand it.
Unexpectedly, once Giovanni received the news that the Plasma Team had been severely damaged, he acted promptly.
He even personally came to the Unova Region to oversee and command.
But finding and even fully understanding the "Divine Hall of the Sea Floor" were not the important parts, the key was Meloetta.
Just as Natsuhiko and Giovanni stood in the command room watching the screen, a member of the Rocket Team strode in.
Kneeling on one knee, he respectfully said, "Leader, they have arrived."
"Let them in," Giovanni said calmly.
"Yes!"
Giovanni then glanced at Natsuhiko with a hint of significance and smiled, "Your colleagues are here."
Colleagues?
Natsuhiko wondered who it could be.
He saw a young man who appeared pale and sickly, dressed in a sharp and exquisite suit, slightly older than Natsuhiko, smiling at the corner of his lips, leading two others inside.
Seeing them, Natsuhiko's breathing slightly halted.
Hunter J!
Tom Rokicki's direct subordinate!
One of the three people who survived the so-called business competition in the Alola Region alongside Natsuhiko.
However, Natsuhiko preferred to use another name for him...
Sato Kenta!
The elder brother of the middle-school-obsessed Sato Kenji from Goldenrod City, who was lured away by Tom Rokicki.
Seeing him, Natsuhiko unconsciously recalled the last time he saw Sato Kenji.
Originally a middle-schooler striving to become a Trainer, he had no choice but to take on the family's burden.
He also recalled the last thing Sato Kenji said to Natsuhiko...
"If you see my brother, tell him I don't blame him."
With Tom Rokicki's help, he quickly gained strength and now secured a position in the Hunter Guild.
Behind him.
Stood "Hunter O," the real leader of the Hunter Guild from Feiyun City, a chubby man fitting the letter "O."
On the other side.
Was a middle-aged man, dressed in a brown-gray ancient robe, with a wide hood covering most of his face, carrying a box covered with a red cloth.
The three bowed respectfully to Giovanni.
After greetings, Sato Kenta warmly looked at Natsuhiko, "N, you arrived quite early."
Natsuhiko furrowed his brows.
But he didn't speak, only standing silently behind Giovanni.
Seeing this scene, Sato Kenta raised an eyebrow.
Seemingly having some understanding of the relationship between Natsuhiko and Giovanni.
"Did you bring it?" Giovanni asked.
"Of course."
Since leaving the family, Sato Kenta's personality changed drastically, becoming rather peculiar and capricious.
With a wave of his hand.
The middle-aged man in the robe stepped forward, picked up the box, and tore off the covering red cloth.
Inside the square transparent glass container, a small, cute Pokémon lay helplessly with tear-stained face on the box.
Its fearful eyes surveyed the surroundings, showing fear towards everyone in its sight.
Meloetta!
Natsuhiko's pupils contracted.
He looked at the man holding the box.
Natsuhiko then realized that the clothes this person wore were similar to those in the original story, worn by Larry, the guardian of the Divine Hall of the Sea Floor and protector of Meloetta.
Meloetta and Larry's people have been guardian of the "Divine Hall of the Sea Floor" for generations, and Larry as well as his people possess the ability to sense Meloetta.
Previously in Twin Dragons City, when Meloetta left in a hurry, it was likely because it sensed the call from Larry and his people.
Unexpectedly, what awaited it was a trap!
Sato Kenta grinned with widened lips, "Thanks to Dr. Seg's special glass, it not only isolates sound completely, but absorbs it too. As long as this little one can't sing, it's less trouble."
"Divine Hall of the Sea Floor," Meloetta, turns out Giovanni had already gathered all the conditions long ago.
"Very good."
Seeing Meloetta, Giovanni slowly nodded, not showing much emotion.
In fact.
Natsuhiko even felt that Giovanni was somewhat cold.
He wasn't as interested as he was when watching a play with Natsuhiko.
Wasn't it the [Storm Plan]?
"Seg already found the entrance, go assist him," Giovanni said.
"Understood."
After responding, Sato Kenta left with the two and Meloetta.
From start to finish, there was no mention of handing Meloetta over to the Rocket Team or Giovanni.
Instead, it was treated as a valuable bargaining chip, tightly held in their own hands.